Class of 2027
Nancy Githere-Thande, DO
Nancy Githere-Thande, DO
Undergraduate Education
University of Pennsylvania
Medical Education
Marian University College of Osteopathic Medicine
Interests
Social justice, DEIA, women's health, preventative care, mental health, mentorship
Bio
Dr. Githere-Thande brings a unique global perspective and a passion for culturally competent, patient-centered care. Her journey in medicine is deeply personal, driven by experiences that have shaped her commitment to women's health, preventive care, and mental health services. Raised in the San Francisco Bay Area and spending much of her free time traveling the world (England, France, Spain, China, Thailand, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, and Mexico to name a few), she embodies the spirit of a global citizen. Outside of medicine, Dr. Githere-Thande loves spending time with her husband, daughter, and two dogs. She enjoys watching sports, 49ers football and Warriors basketball as well as indulging her reality tv guilty pleasure during her spare time.
See profile on My Doctor Online
Arielle Sanghvi, MD
Arielle Sanghvi, MD
Undergraduate Education
University of California Los Angeles
Medical Education
Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine at Florida Atlantic University
Interests
Public health, community service, preventative health
Bio
Dr. Sanghvi, took a unique journey from civil engineering to medicine, bringing a fresh perspective to patient care. With a passion for public health and community service, she's already made waves with her e-cigarette prevention program and gun safety campaign. When she's not in the clinic, you might find Dr. Sanghvi playing open-world video games, pickleball with her family and friends, or cooking new recipes in her air fryer. Dr. Sanghvi is also a talented escape artist who loves a good puzzle. She has successfully solved fourteen escape rooms.
See profile on My Doctor Online
Bonnie Nguyen, DO
Bonnie Nguyen, DO
Undergraduate Education
University of California Davis
Medical Education
Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine
Interests
Public health, preventative medicine, food as medicine, community outreach
Bio
Dr. Nguyen brings a wealth of experience and a passion for culturally sensitive, comprehensive care. With a background in quality improvement and a Master's in Maternal and Child Nutrition, Dr. Nguyen offers a unique perspective on holistic healthcare. Outside of medicine, you’ll find Dr. Nguyen hiking, admiring nature during golden hour, watching Korean dramas, cooking, and exploring new food spots. Dr. Nguyen enjoys cooking multicultural cuisines but gravitates towards Vietnamese dishes to carry on the traditions and flavors she grew up with.
See profile on My Doctor Online
Emily Pengelly, MD
Emily Pengelly, MD
Undergraduate Education
University of San Francisco
Medical Education
Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth
Interests
Public health, geriatrics, health access, quality improvement
Bio
Dr. Pengelly brings a unique background to our team, with over 15 years of service in the U.S. Army, including experience as a paratrooper and physician assistant at a military hospital. Her military service has instilled in her a deep appreciation for teamwork and adaptability in healthcare. Outside of medicine, Dr. Pengelly enjoys hiking, yoga, and spending time with her family. Dr. Pengelly chose KP Santa Rosa for the program’s commitment to rigorous full spectrum training while supporting personal and community wellness. She especially loves the Tuesday market farmers market at the hospital and riding her bike to work.
See profile on My Doctor Online
Joelle Victoriano, DO
Joelle Victoriano, DO
Undergraduate Education
University of California San Diego
Medical Education
Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine
Interests
Global health, public health, social justice, translational science
Bio
Dr. Victoriano brings a passion for culturally competent care and healthcare equity to our diverse Northern California community. Her approach combines medical expertise with genuine empathy, creating a welcoming environment for all patients. When she's not in the clinic, you might find Dr. Victoriano pursuing her lifelong love of music and performance. With over 20 years of experience singing and playing various instruments, she understands the healing power of art. Her musical journey mirrors her approach to medicine: always learning, growing, and connecting with others. Dr. Victoriano's diverse interests extend beyond music. As an avid rock-climber, weightlifter, and fitness enthusiast, she promotes an active lifestyle and loves being outdoors . Her curiosity drives her to learn about languages and various academic disciplines, believing that being well-rounded allows her to connect with and serve patients more effectively.
See profile on My Doctor Online
Michael Zakovich, DO
Michael Zakovich, DO
Undergraduate Education
Michigan State University East Lansing
Medical Education
Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine
Interests
Preventative medicine, music therapy, exercise therapy, the power of human connection in healing.
Bio
Dr. Zakovich brings a unique blend of medical expertise and musical talent to our team. A graduate of Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine, he's passionate about holistic patient care and the power of human connection in healing. Outside of his medical practice, Michael enjoys performing in his local community. His journey from musical novice to skilled multi-instrumentalist mirrors his approach to medicine: persistence, dedication, and a constant pursuit for growth. Dr. Zakovich's experiences in musical therapy have shaped his empathetic bedside manner, making him particularly well-suited for family medicine. He is committed to providing comprehensive, patient-centered care that addresses both physical and emotional well-being.
See profile on My Doctor Online
Class of 2026
Molly Kay, DO
Molly Kay, DO
Undergraduate Education
U.C. Santa Cruz
Medical Education
Touro University College of Medicine
Interests
Sports medicine, lifestyle medicine, and nutrition as medicine.
Bio
I was born and raised in a small town in the heart of Mendocino County where I spent most of my childhood outdoors in nature with a variety of farm animals. After graduating high school, I moved to attend U.C. Santa Cruz. In 2009 I moved to Sonoma County to be closer to family and pursue a career in medicine. In 2023 I graduated from Touro University College of Medicine. Although I took a very scenic route to become a physician, I learned a lot along the way and gained vital life experiences that have shaped my interest in medicine and wellness. During my medical school clinical rotations, I had the fortunate experience of rotating through many different healthcare systems. I experienced first-hand what each system has to offer their patients and providers. I was immediately impressed by the collective team effort and collaborative care patients received at Kaiser Permanente. As a physician, I highly value the ability to recognize each patient as a unique individual while providing the best evidence-based medicine custom-tailored to optimize wellness and I truly feel Kaiser’s mission embraces these same sentiments. I pursued family medicine for the broad scope of practice and the ability to serve my community in numerous capacities. From labor and delivery to counseling patients on end-of-life care, the ability to provide comprehensive care for all ages and stages in my community is a pleasure and privilege. Family medicine has offered me the ability for me to pursue my professional areas of interest which include sports medicine, lifestyle medicine, and nutrition as medicine. Health is achieved through investment in wellness, high-quality nutrition, physical activity, and conventional medicine. It is an honor to serve my community and join them in reaching their health and wellness goals.
See profile on My Doctor Online
Anissa Butler, MD
Anissa Butler, MD
Undergraduate Education
Jackson State University
Medical Education
University of Mississippi Medical Center.
Interests
Community medicine, full spectrum care for people born with a uterus, public health, integrative medicine, and increasing access to high-quality health care for the Black community.
Pronouns
She/her
Bio
I was born in Jackson, Mississippi to teen parents and raised in a combination of urban, suburban, and rural environments around Jackson. I thought I would become a dancer as I trained in multiple styles of dance from a young age, including ballet. During college I discovered an interest in medicine and began to pursue it after shadowing a surgeon. I completed my undergraduate education in chemistry at Jackson State University, where I also danced with the infamous Sonic Boom of the South Marching Band. I earned my Masters in Biomedical Sciences and my Medical Degree from the University of Mississippi Medical Center. Becoming a patient while needing to become my own doctor during medical school shaped my approach to medicine and being a physician. I am committed to dismantling medical racism and discrimination, and caring for marginalized communities. My areas of interest include community medicine, full spectrum care for people born with a uterus, public health, integrative medicine, and increasing access to high-quality health care for the Black community. I knew I needed to train at Kaiser Santa Rosa because of its unique opportunity to practice full-spectrum medicine, train in integrative methods, surround myself with a supportive culture, and learn how to maintain my personal wellbeing while training to assist in the wellbeing of patients. The KPSR Family Medicine department is committed to addressing systemic and systematic issues affecting the care of patients as well as medical training, and this is perfect for my personal medical mission.
See profile on My Doctor Online
Jane Kwong, DO
Jane Kwong, DO
Undergraduate Education
University of California, Los Angeles
Medical Education
Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine
Interests
Preventative Medicine
Pronouns
She/her
Bio
My journey to medicine began with my upbringing in San Francisco, where I was exposed to diverse cultures and communities from a young age. This early exposure fostered my appreciation for inclusivity and the importance of tailoring healthcare to individual needs. I went on to pursue a degree in Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology with a minor in Biomedical Sciences at UCLA. During my undergraduate years, I actively engaged in various volunteering opportunities, including being a medical assistant at Venice Family Health Clinic and a resident supervisor for the unhoused at Bruin Shelter. These experiences fueled my passion for addressing health inequities and advocating for underserved populations. I was, and continue to be, drawn to preventive medicine because I strongly believe that proactive healthcare measures are the solution to improving health outcomes. I also thoroughly enjoy being able to build strong personal relationships with my patients through all different stages of their lives. For this next chapter, I chose to train at KPSR because of the genuine warmth and inclusivity I experienced when speaking to faculty and fellow residents. I have faith that this amazing community will help me grow into the physician I strive to be.
See profile on My Doctor Online
Katherine Meadows, DO
Katherine Meadows, DO
Undergraduate Education
University of Maryland
Medical Education
Touro California
Interests
Sports Medicine, LGBTQIA+ Healthcare, OMM/OMT, community-based medicine and advocacy
Pronouns
She/her
Bio
I am passionate about pursuing a career in Family Medicine because I appreciate the benefits of a patient-centered approach to health care, and the reward of developing long-term, trusting relationships with patients. I specifically chose to practice medicine at Kaiser Permanente for the exceptional care Kaiser provides to their patients. I especially enjoy that Kaiser has an integrated system that allows multiple health care workers to collaborate and provide the best, individualized care and I cannot wait to be a part of that. Family medicine offers a wide scope in training; this allows me to care for anyone who enters the clinic. Within the specialty I have a few specific areas of interest – Sports Medicine, LGBTQIA+ Healthcare, OMM/OMT, community-based medicine, and advocacy – as I hope to speak on behalf of my patients to ensure their voices are heard in all settings. My goal is to engage with my future patients as a physician, an advocate, and an educator in order to empower patients with the information to attain optimal health and give them the tools to prevent complications in the future. I am aware that there are many aspects of healing and I want to be a provider that can help at all levels. I am committed to becoming a physician who not only prioritizes the physical wellbeing of their patients, but also the mental and emotional.
See profile on My Doctor Online
Miryam Ha, DO
Miryam Ha, DO
Undergraduate Education
University of California, Davis
Medical Education
Rocky Vista University College of Osteopathic Medicine
Interests
Global medicine, child and adolescent health, reproductive health, OMM, POCUS, and integrative medicine.
Pronouns
She/her
Bio
I had the privilege of working in the Kaiser Permanente system as a fourth-year medical student. The dedicated and caring community, commitment to practicing evidence-based medicine, and culture of advocacy and inclusion deeply resonated with me. I am honored to join an organization that will better equip me with the knowledge needed to serve different communities justly, humbly, and effectively. After completing my undergraduate studies at the University of California, Davis, I spent time exploring my different interests in counseling, mentoring, and teaching. I realized that primary care medicine, particularly family medicine was the intersection of all these things. I received my Master’s in Global Medicine at the University of Southern California before starting medical school at Rocky Vista University in Colorado. I am passionate about serving the underserved and promoting health equity. My interest in global medicine and sustainable global initiatives began after a study abroad trip to Oaxaca, Mexico where I gained deeper insight on medical “voluntourism” and cultural humility. In addition to global medicine, other professional interests of mine include child and adolescent health, reproductive health, OMM, POCUS, and integrative medicine. Patients are at the core of how I practice medicine. My philosophy stems from a lens of narrative medicine which posits that the ability to recognize, engage, interpret, and act on patients’ stories of their illnesses is crucial to an effective practice. I strive to create space for folks to feel comfortable and confident in sharing and discussing their healthcare goals. People are much more than their illness and as such, cannot be treated with band aid solutions. Thank you for allowing me to be a part of your healthcare team! I am so excited to partner with you!
See profile on My Doctor Online
Alice Renaud, MD
Alice Renaud, MD
Undergraduate Education
Northeastern University
Medical Education
Sidney Kimmel Medical College
Interests
Minimally disruptive medicine, lifestyle medicine, geriatrics, and maternal-child health.
Pronouns
She/her
Bio
I chose to be a Family Medicine physician because of its wide scope of practice, allowing me to care for people of all ages throughout their lifetimes through any and all medical challenges. I completed my undergraduate degree in Behavioral Neuroscience at Northeastern University in Boston, Massachusetts and my medical degree at Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. I grew up in Northern California and am so excited to be back here to continue my training. My professional interests as a physician include minimally disruptive medicine, lifestyle medicine, geriatrics, and maternal-child health. I am also passionate about medical education and leadership development as I feel creating safe and warm learning environments is the best way to create the next generation of compassionate and knowledgeable physician leaders. I am so excited to be a Kaiser Permanente physician because of its integrated health system and emphasis on preventative medicine and inter-specialty collaboration. My philosophy of care is inspired by helping my patients fit medicine into their busy lives to maintain health and wellness. I enjoy partnering with my patients to help them achieve their goals and believe the health of our community plays a significant role in the health of the individuals within in.
See profile on My Doctor Online
Class of 2025
Marissa Westerland, MD
Marissa Westerland, MD
Undergraduate Education
UC Davis, Neurobiology, Physiology, and Behavior
Medical Education
UC Davis
Passions/interests
LGTBQ and Gender health, Adolescent medicine, Women’s health, POCUS and Sports Medicine
How I thrive
Eating lots of yummy food, camping and adventuring with my husband, dancing and listening to live music
Bio
As a native of Santa Rosa, I am so lucky to finally return home to train in and serve the community that raised me! Growing up in Rincon Valley, I felt inspired by the intersection of food, nature, and wellness deeply present in the culture of Sonoma County. After graduating from UC Davis (Go Ags!), I returned home to take care of my mom through her cancer diagnosis and treatment. During this difficult time, I also started working with amazing full spectrum family doctors in West Sonoma County and learned many lessons those years on both sides of the caregiver/patient and provider relationship. Notably, I learned that the impact of a physician far transcends the four walls of the exam room, and the longitudinal relationships we can develop are both incredibly healing and a gift. I carried these lessons with me back to UC Davis for medical school, where I obtained additional immersive rural community health experience within the Rural PRIME track. With a desire to return home, I chose to train at Kaiser Santa Rosa because of the strong emphasis on preventative medicine, primary care, and the value placed on comprehensive team based medicine. I am looking forward to all the opportunities and relationships I will have here during my time at Kaiser Permanente Santa Rosa!
Timothy Kim, DO, MPH
Timothy Kim, DO, MPH
Undergraduate Medical Education
Rutgers University, majoring in Neuroscience, Public Health, Psychology
Medical Education
Touro University California
Interests
Integrative and lifestyle medicine, healthcare entrepreneurship, community public health, full-spectrum medicine, marine biology, economics
How I thrive
Spending quality time with loved ones, being out in nature (hiking, backpacking, fishing), and nerding out on DIY projects
Bio
I was born and raised on the East Coast, from the countryside of North Carolina to the insomniac city of Manhattan. Growing up, I was that kid that preferred National Geographic magazines to comic books. The sciences always captivated me, but it wasn't till I spent a year living in Southeast Asia for missions with my family that I discovered my passion for the humanities and subsequently, medicine. I went to Rutgers University in New Jersey and graduated with a degree in Neuroscience, Public Health and Psychology. Upon graduating, I joined a Manhattan urgent care start-up where I sharpened my clinical acumen as well as my skills in healthcare entrepreneurship. I worked extensively in Haiti with a non-profit organization to implement healthcare models that sustainably provide rural villages with medical care. Eager to practice medicine, I came to the west coast for medical school at Touro University California, during which I was accepted to the Albert Schweitzer Fellowship and completed an additional year of training as a Medical Innovation Fellow. I founded a non-profit vertical farm that uses hydroponics to help alleviate urban food deserts and provide nutrition education to patients with chronic metabolic diseases. Kaiser Permanente was one of the big supporters of this project and I had the pleasure of working alongside many community champions from it. I chose to train at KP Santa Rosa to continue working with this amazing community, the creative and innovative culture and the opportunity to learn in a well-oiled healthcare infrastructure. I am a proponent of integrative and lifestyle medicine and aspire to provide my patients with guidance and resources to achieve long-term wellness and health. I look forward to serving the Sonoma community as one of its family docs!
Pronouns
He/Him
Kevin Walker, MD
Kevin Walker, MD
Undergraduate Education
San Jose State University, Bachelor's of Science in Biochemistry
Medical Education
California Northstate University College of Medicine
Interests
Preventative Medicine, Behavioral Medicine, and Health Education
How I thrive
Hiking, climbing, and spending time with family and friends
Bio
I was born and raised in San Jose, CA and attended San Jose State University where I majored in Biochemistry. I then attended California Northstate University College of Medicine in Elk Grove, CA. I am thrilled to be able to remain in Northern California for this next stage of my training. Family Medicine allows me to build meaningful, long-term relationships with patients and gives me an opportunity to participate in their health through all stages of life. Kaiser Permanente is a leader in the healthcare field, and its focus on preventative care and wellness are reasons why I am so excited to continue training here. Santa Rosa has such wonderful community and exceptional outdoor activities, and I am grateful for the opportunity to live and learn in this beautiful area.
Pronouns
He/him
Shoshannah Rubin, DO
Shoshannah Rubin, DO
Undergraduate Education
Pitzer College, Human biology & Spanish
Medical Education
A.T. Still University
Interests
Plant-based lifestyle, organizing, DIY projects
How I thrive
Time with family and friends, audiobooks, walks with my dog, crafting projects
Bio
I grew up in Sonoma County and am so happy to be back in this beautiful part of the world. After spending three years in Chicago at Cook County Hospital and Near North Federally Qualified Community Health Center, I am thrilled to be completing my residency training as a part of the Kaiser Santa Rosa team. Prior to medical school, I spent three years at UCSF studying atypical dementias at the Memory and Aging Center. I am passionate about food as medicine and the role nutrition plays in healthcare. I also care deeply about health justice and providing healthcare to medically underserved communities. As a healthcare provider, I believe in empowering my patients to take an active role in their healthcare. My goal is to partner with my patients to achieve their health goals. By promoting preventative medicine and patient education, I aim to help each of my patients live their happiest, healthiest, most fulfilling life.
Pronouns
She/her/hers
Osvaldo Palomares, MD
Osvaldo Palomares, MD
Undergraduate
Johns Hopkins University, B.A. Biology
Medical Education
Rush Medical College
Interests
Community medicine, pipeline programs, and pediatrics
How I thrive
Spending time with family, thrifting, fishing, and cooking.
Bio
Growing up on the Sonoma Coast, I often served as a guide through the health care system for my immigrant parents. It was not until they received care at Kaiser Santa Rosa that they found their medical home, receiving culturally humble care in their own language. At Kaiser Santa Rosa, I get to work in a comprehensive, integrated system where healthcare plans are individualized to each patient with the support of the entire healthcare team. In addition, I get to learn directly from the individuals who have provided excellent care to my own family and community. My passion for Family Medicine and primary care developed prior to medical school, during my time at Next Generation Scholars, an educational non-profit in Marin County. My role was to connect families to the basic resources they required to ultimately help their child thrive academically. I believe this philosophy also applies to health care. My goal as a physician is to not only listen to and address the immediate issues that bring patients into the hospital, but to also connect them to resources to help optimize the barriers to health they may face to improve their health and that of their family.
Yimdriuska Magan Mendoza, MD, MPH
Yimdriuska Magan Mendoza, MD, MPH
Undergraduate Education
University of California, Merced, majoring in Human Biology
Medical Education
University of California, Davis
Interests
I am passionate about holistic health, reducing health disparities, women's health/gynecology and medical education
How I Thrive
Being outdoors, dancing, traveling, hiking, spending time with family and friends and trying new foods.
Bio
I was born and raised in Peru, and I moved to the United States when I was 16 years old to the beautiful Sonoma County. I attended the University of California, Merced and studied Human Biology. Afterwards, I pursued a Masters in Public Health from Touro University in Vallejo. During this time, I learned about health disparities and disease prevention strategies to improve the health of our communities. This motivated me to pursue a career in medicine. I attended the University of California, Davis for medical school. During this time, I volunteered at a student run clinic, which ignited my passion for Latinx health, women’s health and highlighted to me the importance of primary care to prevent chronic diseases. Upon graduation from medical school, I completed almost 2 years of Obstetrics and Gynecology residency. Realizing that I wanted to broaden my scope of practice, I transitioned to Family Medicine, and I am now part of the Kaiser Permanente Family Medicine Residency. I am excited to be back in Sonoma County and to take care of the whole family. I look forward to working together to form a partnership to improve your health and the health of our community with a focus on preventive medicine and wellness.
Pronouns
She/Her/Hers
Alumni
Class of 2024
Eduardo Alvarado, MD
Family Medicine, Kaiser Permanente Santa Rosa
Thomas Dowlearn, MD
Family Medicine, Kaiser Permanente Santa Rosa
Simone Easterbrook, DO
Family Medicine, Kaiser Permanente Santa Rosa
Esther Funez Castro, DO, MPH
Family Medicine, Kaiser Permanente Santa Rosa
Brian Gambardella, MD
Family Medicine, Kaiser Permanente Santa Rosa
Class of 2023
Zachary Anderson, DO, MS
Family Medicine, Kaiser Permanente, Primary Care Specialty Program in Psychiatry
John Callander, MD
Family Medicine, Kaiser Permanente San Francisco
Kimberly Hower, DO
Family Medicine, Kaiser Permanente Santa Rosa, Primary Care Specialty Program in OB/GYN
Constantine Kulkoff, DO
Family Medicine, Kaiser Permanente San Francisco
Allison Noesekabel, MD
Family Medicine, Kaiser Permanente Santa Rosa
Gustavo Romero, MD
Family Medicine, Kaiser Permanente Santa Rosa, Primary Care Specialty Program in Dermatology
Class of 2022
Ishika Arora, MD
Family Medicine, Kaiser Permanente Santa Rosa
Stephen Babson, MD
Family Medicine, Southwest Family Physicians, Oregon
Michelle Baer, MD, MS
FM-OB, Sutter Health, Sacramento, FM-OB Fellowship, Swedish Medical Center, Seattle
Jenna Jorgensen, MD
Family Medicine, Kaiser Permanente
Ryan Wei, MD
FM-Sports Medicine Fellowship, UC San Francisco
Garyn Worrall, MD
Family Medicine, Kaiser Permanente
Class of 2021
Daniel Ayala-Ortiz, MD
Family Medicine, Kaiser Permanente
Julet Baltonado, MD
Family Medicine, Kaiser Permanente
Elia Cole, DO
Urgent Care, Kaiser Permanente
Lauren Glaser, MD
Family Medicine, Kaiser Permanente
Alexis Hoffkling, MD
Family Medicine-OB, Colorado
Tracy Krinard, DO
Family Medicine, Petaluma Health Center